Shad Fly (from Len Bearden)
By Elaine Cook
Phil Fischer, our speaker for May, was so inspiring about shad fishing that this fly seems appropriate.
Shad Fly (from Len Bearden)
By Elaine Cook
Phil Fischer, our speaker for May, was so inspiring about shad fishing that this fly seems appropriate.
Hook: Mustad 3908-C or equivalent (Sproat bend, heavy wire, nickel plated)
Thread: Fluorescent fire orange, 6/0 or Monocord (preferred)
Eyes: Medium silver bead chain
Tail: 12 - 16 pieces of 4-strand fluorescent green floss
Butt: Tying thread
Body: Silver mylar tinsel
Collar: Tying thread
Hackle: Fluorescent yellow strung hackle without webbing
1. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread one hook eye width behind the eye.
3. Bind bead chain eyes to the top of the hook snugly with figure 8 wraps.
4. Move thread behind eyes.
5. Cut 12-16 pieces of fluorescent green 4-strand floss twice the shank length plus 1/3 of the bend circumference long.
6. Tie the pieces of floss in behind the eyes, on the top of the shank. Bind the floss down all the way to the middle of the hook bend. See the illustration for the correct angle of the tail.
7. Tie in a length of silver mylar tinsel extending over the eye, on the hook bend just below the last wraps which bind the floss to the hook bend.
8. Form an 1/8" wide butt over the tinsel tie-in with the tying thread.
9. Bring thread forward to 1/3 shank length back from eye.
10. Spiral the tinsel forward to the tying thread, tie off and cut the excess tinsel.
11. Form a thick collar with the tying thread as shown in the illustration.
12. Tie in the hackle feather by the butt, with the bend of the feather to the rear.
13. Take several wraps with the hackle feather. Tie off and cut the excess.
14. Bring the thread to the front of the bead chain eyes, wrap a small head, whip finish and cut the thread.
15. Apply head cement to the butt, body, collar and head.